How To Motivate Your Husband's Weight Loss

First, don't push. He'll only think you're nagging him, and it will backfire. If he's exercising or changing his diet just to make you happy, he's not likely to stick with it. Instead you need to help him find his pull, that spark that makes him really want the weight loss because he'll be doing something fun. Remember when you were 8 years old and would wake up at 5 am on Christmas because you were so excited? You want him to feel that way about getting healthier.

A role model can help your husband to see the benefits of slimming down and learn how to do it. Your job is to help him bump into potential weight loss role models—without letting him know what you're doing. For example, if he mentions playing golf or basketball with a friend or joining a coworker who's training for a marathon, tell him to go for it. And make it a point to socialize with healthy, active couples. If you read a newspaper or magazine article about a guy who lost weight, leave it out on the coffee table to subtly encourage him. Or if he's marooned on the couch, flip to the National Body Challenge on the Discovery Health Channel. Every year this series follows people as they attempt to shed pounds.